Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 442 - 444: Fourth Young Master (Part 2)

Xiqiu seemed to understand something. When the Marquis went out to war for three years, by the time he returned to the Capital, there was already a change in the regime, with Emperor Dezong on the throne. During this period of turmoil, the Marquis’s supply of provisions would certainly have been affected.

"At that time, it was Lord Hu who was working tirelessly for the Marquis at the Ministry of War, ensuring the supply of provisions without interruption due to his mediation."

In this way, the Hu Family also had done a favor for the Xiao Family.

"So, after the Marquis safely returned to the Capital, he hosted a banquet at the mansion to entertain Lord Hu. At that time..." Nanny Cen glanced at Xiqiu and whispered, "At that time, Fourth Master was still in swaddling clothes, and it just so happened that Madam Hu had given birth to a daughter a few days prior. So, the Old Marquis, in a tipsy state, decided to betroth Fourth Master and Miss Hu."

Xiqiu listened quietly. Before Fourth Master, the Old Marquis already had three sons, and at that time, the Xiao Mansion was quite unstable. Fourth Master didn’t have much security for his future. Although Lord Hu was a mere seventh-rank official, he held a position in the Six Departments, which itself was a reflection of power despite a seemingly low rank. Moreover, the Hu Family had already had two sons, so their family background was not too weak.

Thus, the betrothal of Fourth Master was settled in this manner, with both him and Miss Hu growing up in their respective families. However, Miss Hu had a weak constitution since childhood, and when Xiao Fourth Master reached eighteen, the two had never married. As for Miss Hu, she finally succumbed at the tender age of eighteen...

She had also heard about the subsequent events, the rumors that Xiao Fourth Master remained in mourning for his unwed bride for three years, not marrying anyone else!

Nanny Cen, seeing Xiqiu’s lowered face and an incomprehensible expression on her face, lifted her heart, which she had just lowered. If Fourth Master had only been betrothed but then Miss Hu passed away, it would be nothing. However, the fact that Fourth Master mourned for Miss Hu for three years was well-known throughout the city. Everyone said that Fourth Master was deeply affectionate towards Miss Hu, which is why he mourned for three years.

One wonders whether Fourth Madam would mind upon hearing these things.

These days, she has observed that Fourth Master is very fond of Fourth Madam, and they seem to have a good relationship. Fourth Master has become more mature compared to before, and seeing this makes her heart full of joy. However, unexpectedly, Madam called her to inquire about the matters concerning the Hu Family. She genuinely worries that it might cause misunderstandings between them.

"Madam!" Nanny Cen said, "Fourth Master was very young when the engagement was decided. As they grew up, due to Miss Hu’s poor health and being engaged from a young age, she hardly went out, and she and Fourth Master never saw each other, so..." She wanted to tell Xiqiu that Fourth Master and Miss Hu were just engaged, nothing more.

"I understand," Xiqiu said with a smile, her expression calm and not showing any sign of being upset. "Then why did Madam Hu propose Second Miss as a match?"

Nanny Cen replied, "I’m not very clear about this, but I know that the Grand Dowager has always shown great respect to Madam Hu. So, whenever Madam Hu visited the mansion, the Grand Dowager would personally meet her. Perhaps because of this, when Madam Hu mentioned the Pang Family, the Grand Dowager carefully considered Lord Pang and agreed, but not simply because it was Madam Hu proposing the match that Hu Family decided!"

Nanny Cen appeared very anxious, constantly observing Xiqiu’s expression.

"So that’s how it is." Is that why everyone looked at her with such eyes when Madam Hu visited the mansion? Did they think that had Miss Hu not died young, she would be the one who is now Fourth Madam?

And would Madam Hu think that if her daughter had not passed, she would now be the Second-Grade Imperial Decree-bearing, esteemed Madam of Great Governor?

Xiqiu mocked herself with a smile and said, "Go ahead with your tasks now. You’ve worked hard in the kitchen these days." She had talked with Nanny Cen, inviting her to come and serve in the room, but Nanny Cen declined, saying that she had not served a master for many years and was worried that she might become rusty in service, causing trouble for Xiqiu. Therefore, she preferred to stay in the kitchen, where she felt more comfortable.

Xiqiu understood. Although their main meals still came from the main kitchen, many of their everyday dishes were still made in the small kitchen and sent over. Nanny Cen staying there helped to maintain a certain standard in the meals.

Xiqiu didn’t insist. Having someone like Nanny Cen in the kitchen put her mind at ease.

"Then I will take my leave," Nanny Cen said, hesitatingly glancing at Xiqiu as she slowly backed out, always unable to truly settle her heart. Later that afternoon, as Xiao Fourth Master was heading out, Nanny Cen intentionally waited at the courtyard gate. "Fourth Master!"

Xiao Fourth Master paused, turning to look at Nanny Cen and asked, "What’s the matter?"

Nanny Cen glanced around the courtyard, seeing that Fourth Madam’s maids had not come out, she quickly relayed the matter of Xiqiu asking about the Hu Family. "I’m afraid Madam will overthink, Fourth Master, what do you think..."

Listening, Xiao Fourth Master’s expression remained unchanged, merely raising his eyebrows. He looked at Nanny Cen with casual amusement and nodded, "Go on, I understand."

Nanny Cen saw that Xiao Fourth Master seemed to not take it to heart and, filled with urgency, said, "Fourth Master, should you not explain this to Madam?"

"I know what to do," Xiao Fourth Master said as he turned and went to the outer courtyard.

Meanwhile, Xiqiu instructed Biwu, "Go inquire in the mansion and see if there were any other matters involving the Hu Family back then." Nanny Cen’s demeanor clearly suggested there were things left unsaid and hidden from her.

When Biwu returned in the afternoon, she reported to Xiqiu, "When Miss Hu was ill... Fourth Master had asked many people to search for divine doctors and remedies among the commoners and later personally went to Tongzhou to invite Divine Doctor Zhang."

Divine Doctor Zhang?

Xiqiu thought of the Nurse Zhang who had come when she was poisoned!

Her eyes flickered, not expecting Xiao Fourth Master to have done so much for Miss Hu back then. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Biwu observed Xiqiu’s expression and, cautiously, added, "It’s said that after First Miss Hu passed, Madam Hu intended for Second Miss Hu to marry into the Xiao Family in place of her older sister... That Miss Hu even stayed in the mansion for a few days."

Xiqiu was taken aback and asked, "Then why was the marriage later canceled?"

Biwu shook her head, also looking perplexed, "There are various rumors. Some say Second Miss was plain-looking and Fourth Master was not impressed, while others say Fourth Master was deeply affectionate towards First Miss. Otherwise, why else would Fourth Master mourn for three years after First Miss Hu’s passing?"

Both suppositions left Xiqiu with doubts, especially regarding Second Miss Hu, who had stayed in the mansion for a few days. This suggested that the Grand Dowager had agreed at the time?

Then what was Xiao Fourth Master’s attitude?

Xiqiu knew these were matters of the past, and regardless of Xiao Fourth Master’s attitude at the time, so much had passed that even if there were something, it should be behind them.

She wasn’t bothered, merely curious.

Moreover, since the Hu Family had done a favor for the Xiao Family and the Grand Dowager treated Madam Hu with such respect, what stance would Xiao Fourth Master hold towards Madam Hu, his former mother-in-law?

She sat quietly, saying nothing.

The Grand Dowager rose at noon, hushing Xing and Min, letting them enjoy some snacks, and the three of them, as grandmother and grandchildren, were sitting and talking when Xing asked the Grand Dowager, "Grandmother, when will Brother Sheng return?"